Mermaids are real - especially when you're 5!

Everyone enjoyed meeting mermaid Jamie https://www.jaimethemermaid.com.au/

It was a dream come true for Benni.  Jamie visited for her 5th Birthday party and we all had fun.  I have it on good authority that Jamie 'grew' her tail in Hawaii.

Christmas Day

 No, Grumps - you press this button.  The tamborine didn't get a look in, the buttons & noises won.

Benni using her magic pen to make great pictures!

School next year!

Promised for Christmas

I promised that Jordan would have a quilt for Christmas - he received it on Christmas Eve!!! Panel bought from USA (couldn't find one here in Brisbane - he loves Diggers!).  Machine pieced & quilted.  Everything else from my stash.  He did love it - I think, boys are not quite as expressive as girls!

Weekend retreat results

 Was feeling a little miserable on retreat - had a cold, had forgotten or brought the wrong projects to do & so, I had to play.  Drew these little pictures & proceeded to thread sketch.

 Can't believe I drew this face & really happy with the thread work.

Jugs - first try - bit random but I like it.

Cute gifts

Romantic evenings - this little lamp was made from a pattern bought at Quilters' Store, Salisbury - add a wine glass & an LED tea light & you have the lamp.  

Last day on Norfolk

 Friends at the Convict Night - good fun.

 We all had a really great night.

 HofM was hauled up in front of the Commandant for being a 'big mouth' - we were all soooooo surprised!

Then, all too soon it was time to leave.

Still on Norfolk

 Had to leave this candle snuffer on the shelf!

 Just love the buttress root system on these trees.

 "Strictly Chocolate" had wonderful shakes.

 Some big bugs over there.

View from Captain Cook Lookout.

Winners on Norfolk

 HofM with friend - they won on the day - we now have a new bread knife!

 They were blown away when they won the Visitor's Team award - couldn't keep the grins off their faces.  It was totally unexpected.

The Governor's Cup award - their names will be added to the list for 2018.

Norfolk Island Cemetery

 Simple stone for a wonderful author.

 Always interesting to look around and read the gravestones.

 Weathered grave.

View from the cemetery.

Still more of Norfolk

 The colours of these leaves were amazing.

 The views are all amazing.

 Bloody Bridge was built by convicts - lots of stories why it's called 'Bloody' Bridge.

Kingston ruins & restored buildings.

More of Norfolk Island.

 Polynesian weaving on a post.

 The welcome dinner for the golfers.

 View from the Botanical Gardens

Lichen everywhere - would have loved to bring it home to see what colours it would bring.

Norfolk Island continued.

 Lone Pine

 Beauty everywhere.

 I have never seen such beautiful green in that stained glass window.

St Barnabas' Church.

A week on Norfolk Island

 Our accommodation for the week - 5 Brisbane Drive, Governor's Lodge - very comfortable.

 Remembrance Day Service

 The reason for our weeks' holiday - golf for HofM.

View over Quality Row - lovely Georgian houses.

Parent's 70th Wedding Anniversary

 Last month Mum & Dad celebrated 70 years of marriage - amazing!

The family that was able to make the celebration.

Spring!

Curlew Mum with 2 chicks - slightly out of focus - she hissed at me as I walked by. Dad was nearby too - flattened out on the leaves - he knew I couldn't see him!!!  At Herston - not 10 minutes from the city centre.